Published: Saturday, 26th December, 2009 1:00pm

Taking the plunge

by Alex Gore

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Tim Miller (left) and James Baker, who run Freedom Adventures.

A 23-YEAR-OLD Aldermaston entrepreneur is successfully riding the choppy waves of recession after setting up his own adventure holiday company.

James Baker registered Freedom Adventures in January while studying outdoor adventure sports management at Southampton Solent University with his friend Tim Miller, 26.

The company allows the duo to combine their love for business with their passion for the outdoors.

After finishing his degree in June, James, a former Theale Green and Pangbourne Primary pupil, worked frantically to secure licences, scout locations and strike deals with airlines and hotels to make his dream of offering action-packed holidays for adrenaline junkies a reality.

James, a qualified scuba diving instructor, said: "It has been six months of pure graft and we are really please with where we are now.

"We have already taken a number of bookings for the new year.

"We have five in January, one is a group of 20, and others stretching through to the summer.

"We have put a lot of personal investment into the business but also managed to secure a loan from the bank.

"We were a bit shocked, considering the financial climate, but I think we impressed them with our comprehensive business plan."

Freedom Adventures is aimed at individuals, couples and groups and so far has scuba diving and rock climbing holidays in Spain and Sardinia on offer.